Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 17: The National Capital Region (NCR) has once again been gripped by severe air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing the “Severe+” category on Saturday. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reactivated Stage-IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb further deterioration.
At 4 p.m., Delhi’s AQI stood at 400, classified as “Very Poor.” Within hours, it surged to 428, approaching the critical 450 mark that defines the “Severe+” level. Officials attributed the spike to a combination of a western disturbance, stagnant weather conditions, and poor dispersion of pollutants.
The CAQM Sub-Committee stated that the decision to invoke Stage-IV was unanimous, aimed at taking proactive steps before the situation worsened. Under GRAP, air quality is categorized into four levels: Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400), Severe (401–450), and Severe+ (above 450).
Key Stage-IV Measures:
• Vehicle Restrictions: Only BS-VI compliant vehicles with Delhi registration are allowed. Non-essential trucks are barred unless carrying essential goods or running on cleaner fuels like CNG, LNG, electric, or BS-VI diesel.
• Construction Ban: All construction and demolition projects, including highways, flyovers, and pipelines, are suspended.
• Schools & Education: Classes VI–IX and XI may shift online to protect students, while Classes X and XII generally continue in-person to avoid board exam disruptions.
• Workplace Guidelines: Public, municipal, and private offices are advised to have at least 50% staff work from home, with staggered timings to reduce traffic congestion.
• Discretionary Measures: Authorities may consider further steps such as closing colleges, suspending non-essential businesses, or implementing odd-even vehicle schemes. Central government offices may extend work-from-home directives if pollution worsens.
The resurgence of Stage-IV restrictions highlights the persistent pollution crisis in Delhi, underscoring the urgent need for sustained measures to protect public health and maintain normalcy in daily life.